LENGGONG, April 19 — The Home Ministry (KDN) will build a new Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex in Bukit Berapit, Pengkalan Hulu near the Malaysia-Thai border.

Its deputy minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the decision was made because the current ICQS location is quite far, which is about 700 metres from the international border and this could cause issues of invasion from outside the country.

"The ICQS construction is included in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13 MP) for the future so that the arising issues can be resolved in an organised manner.

"However, as the 13 MP is still a long way off, the preparation of documents and scope of work will be carried out as soon as possible to enable the physical works to be carried out smoothly when the allocation is approved,” he said.

He said this when met by reporters after attending the KDN Madani Iftar at Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara here today.

Also present were Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain and Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri.

Shamsul Anuar said the construction of the ICQS was approved by the Home Minister at a meeting on April 11 and was brought to the attention of the state and federal governments at district and state levels meetings.

For the short term, the KDN together with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have decided to move the PDRM roadblock from its current position to the international front checkpoint.

"This allows PDRM control and screening to be done there. This is a short-term solution and we hope that the issue of trespassing, smuggling and illegal taxi operators can be dealt with by the PDRM together with other agencies including the Immigration Department,” he said. — Bernama